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Second Marsh

Facility Details

Oshawa's Second Marsh is a 137-hectare wetland located along the shore of Lake Ontario. It is bordered on the north by Highway 401, on the west by industry and on the east by the McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve and Darlington Provincial Park. Collectively these natural heritage areas represent approximately 400 hectares and are one of the largest publicly accessible waterfront spaces available in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Within Second Marsh there are over 380 plant species, 305 bird species, and numerous species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects.Second Marsh is one of the last remaining Great Lakes coastal wetlands and is of continental significance for migratory waterfowl, and a variety of other water and land birds. Visitors can connect to the Waterfront Trail and McLaughlin Bay Wildlife Reserve.

The Province has identified Second Marsh as a Provincially Significant Wetland and a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest. This designation requires the protection of natural and cultural heritage features, biodiversity and the provision of compatible recreation.

Status:

Closed

Comments:

Visitors who are use to entering the marsh along the recreational trail and boardwalk will notice that access has been restricted. This is due to the hazards caused by Emerald Ash Borer infestation. Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive insect that kills all ash species. Since the majority of tree species within the marsh are ash the impacts on the tree canopy will be significant leading to a change in the natural conditions within the woodlot and nature of the recreational trail network. As the trees die they become hazardous to trail users. To eliminate the hazards of falling trees and branches the City has closed access to this area installing signage and fencing. For your safety please respect the signage.